Experiences of Occupational Therapists in Stroke Rehabilitation: Dilemmas of Some Occupational Therapists in Inpatient Stroke Rehabilitation.

Daniëls, Ramon; Winding, Karen; Borell, Lena

The aim of this study was to explore and gain an understanding of occupational therapists' experiences of therapy with patients in inpatient stroke rehabilitation, through the identification of their deliberations for practice. Two focus-group interviews were conducted. The deliberations for action were triggered by using a written case sample. The analysis of the study involved a perspective of meaning interpretation of the statements of the occupational therapists. The meaning structure that arose was that occupational therapists experience dilemmas when they are considering the courses of action open to them. Three dilemmas were named: "focusing on adaptation while the patient is focused on recovery", "being client centred and protective simulta" and "setting meaningful goals in an institutional context". The results of the study are discussed in relation to theoretical concepts in occupational therapy: a two-body practice, client centredness and meaningful goal setting in a realistic context. Further research regarding the use of meaningful occupation in stroke rehabilitation is recommended.

OCCUPATIONAL therapists; OCCUPATIONAL therapy; CEREBROVASCULAR disease

Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 2002, Vol 9, Issue 4, p167

1103-8128

Academic Journal

10.1080/11038120260501190